Complaints Curb Fee Hikes … For Now

Last year, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke proposed raising the entrance fee for seventeen of the most popular national parks—and we’re not talking about a small increase either. The proposal suggested that during peak season (or when more people visit the parks), entrance fees should increase from $25 to $70. Just walking or biking in? That’ll cost you a hefty $30. Mr. Zinke argues that the money is needed to better maintain and manage the parks. Well whatever the reason, people were not happy about the proposal, and they definitely let the Department of the Interior and the National Parks Service (NPS) know about it. The NPS received a lot of angry comments about the fee hike, with many people complaining that the parks might get too expensive for them to visit. Fewer visitors would mean less money coming into the parks—definitely the opposite of why the fee hike was proposed in the first place. The proposal is now being reconsidered. Although the plan remains to increase the entrance fees at popular national parks, the increase might not be as drastic. We’ll keep you updated on what happens.

What would you do to help raise money for the parks and keep visitors happy?

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